HIGH POINT, N.C., Oct. 5, 2017 – While today’s job market may be more competitive than ever, High Point University’s Office of Career and Professional Development is doing its part to connect students with potential employers.
On Oct. 4, the university hosted 41 companies such as Lenovo, Volvo Group, Hanesbrands and Mutual of Omaha for its biannual Career and Internship Expo.
HPU students, both undergraduate and graduate, and alumni were invited to connect with 41 national and international employers representing industries such as finance, graphic design, marketing, sales, communications and the sciences.
Dressed in business attire, students circulated throughout the Slane Center with resumes in hand, networking with hiring managers and industry professionals in search of candidates for internships and full-time positions. By the end of the event, many students already had interviews secured for the coming days.
Junior business administration major Rachel Rotonda approached the Volvo Group representatives and discussed various corporate opportunities available at the company.
“There are so many companies and I feel like I have to take advantage of this event and speak to as many of them as possible,” Rotonda said. “I’ve attended the smaller “Focus Fairs” at HPU, but never the expo. It’s a great chance to find out about all the different corporate positions available. I didn’t even realize some of these companies offered what I’m looking for.”
Paige Risner, a representative with Volvo Group, understands the importance of connecting with employers during college. She graduated from HPU in 2014 and has been with Volvo since. She attended the expo in the hopes of recruiting talent from her alma mater.
“I had an internship with Mack Trucks in Greensboro while I was a student at HPU, and it reinforced the importance of interning before graduation,” said Risner. “And, that eventually led me to Volvo. The best part is that these global corporations exist right in our backyard. Students at HPU have the chance to connect and intern with these nearby corporations, preparing them for life after graduation.”
Junior accounting major Michael McKenzie and senior strategic communication major Keilah Bruce-Tagoe met with representatives from Mutual of Omaha.
“This event provides a great opportunity for us to excel outside of the classroom,” said McKenzie. “Having companies come to us, to shake that hand and have people who have been where we are now – it’s valuable.”
“I came to the career expo my freshman year and made connections with employers who told me to come back as a senior,” said Bruce-Tagoe. “Now I’m here with my resume ready to show thanks to the help of Dr. Doug Hall and Lindsay Kremer in the Career and Professional Development Office.”
“This event provides students with premium access to employers who are passionate about hiring High Point University students,” said Kremer. “It’s an opportunity for all undergraduate and graduate students, regardless of year, major, or field of study, to use those networking skills with employers offering both internships and full-time jobs.”